<p>I was wondering whether or not I should finish the transferable Calc Based Physics here at my CC before I transfer to my UC. Im currently a bio major with a 3.8 gpa and plan on applying for transfer this fall to all the UCs with all my prereqs and igetc complete. On each ASSIST page I've read its stated that completion of a transferable physics series isnt required, but strongly recommended. I also recognize that more completed prereqs makes you more competitive as an applicant. So what should I do? </p>
<p>I think its also relavant to add that the major reason I dont want to do physics here is because the current professor slated to teach the class has had the worst reviews ive ever heard of or seen on ratemyprofessor. Also I actually need to know physics for the MCAT! </p>
<p>If you have completed Ochem, it would be a great advantage to complete the physics sequence. If you haven’t completed Ochem, take that before worrying about physics. Even though Ochem is not required at all UC campuses, some do require its completion, and from my experience, it is “more” recommended than the physics series (in the way that it clears more upper division prereqs than physics). Anyway, assuming you have finished Ochem, If you have the time to take physics now, do it. You can try a different local community college. I took the calc based physics sequence at my cc, and about half the class was from a different community college, also trying to avoid the one professor their cc offered.</p>
<p>Plus, you will only take the MCAT around the Fall quarter before you graduate, by which time you will already have completed the Physics series either at your cc or at the UC you transfer to.</p>
<p>I would say you’re best off to try completing it before you transfer. If you find out the professor is as bad as everyone says, then you can always drop the class and take your chances without having completed it.</p>
<p>I’m actually starting my ochem series this semester so I should be finishing it up by the end of the school year, thats why Im so unsure and somewhaat opposed to taking physics unless i get thoroughly convinced that i need it in order to get into schools haha. I dont want to jam pack my schedule just to come out of the class with a skewed understanding of the subject and have to essentially relearn the topics for the mcat. Thanks for responding!
ajabar1724 is online now</p>
<p>Recommended classes are just that, recommended. For my major, it was recommended that I complete Principles of Bio 1 and 2. I didn’t have to time to complete those two courses and still got accepted to UCSB. Also, UCSD actually had those 2 courses as prerequisites and I still got accepted there too.</p>
<p>Well, think of it this way. Would you rather take physics now, while you take other prereqs, or later, when you’re taking upper division major courses? I would personally choose to get it over with sooner than later, but that is a personal option. Just don’t expect to have a less demanding course load when you transfer to a UC to then accommodate Physics in your schedule, it might not work that way. You will have major core courses to take, upper division electives, you will want to get involved in research, etc, so make sure to consider all these things. Like I said, my personal opinion would be take it now, but there are really no major downsides to taking it later.</p>
<p>My desires align with yours, Id love to get it over with (assuming the teacher/online instructor is more competent than his reviews indicate) and have all my lover div classes completed. the real cause for my concern is that ive heard that you basically need to have all the classes, including the recommended ones, complete to even be competitive for the higher shelf UCs like UCB and UCLA.</p>
<p>Yes, I have a 4.0. I never applied to UCB or UCLA, so I really don’t know much about their stats, but I would think that anyone with prereqs completed and above a 3.8 has a really, really good chance.
Are there any other community colleges you could go to to take physics? You also said it’s an online class… Wouldn’t the instructor be less, uhm, important in an online setting? I don’t know, I usually don’t rely too much on ratemyprofessor, but that’s just me. Keep thinking about alternatives! :)</p>
<p>Im hoping so! There are! In ventura county theres actually 3 different CCs that allow students to concurrently enroll in classes at each school. Oxnard college is the only other school with a transferable physics series, however, theyve made it so the first portion of the class is only available in the 2nd semester. Thats what praying for but im definitely not trying to self teach a class as complex as physics haha Thanks for all the input!</p>
